Thread: 1st attempt honing a heavy wedge Wade and Butcher - What !!!

I really did some damage to the first heavy wedge I honed. I put a very uneven bevel, scratching all over the blade, lots of honewear. I haven't attempted a heavy wedge since...

I have to agree with Maxi, look out for microchipping, Sheffield steel is notorious for it, never use the thumbnail test after you start honing, you are only destroying what you have thus far accomplished. Try it with out the diamond paste, that stuff can be very aggressive. After the 1k, the softer naturals are the way to go with these.

+1. If you can't get a reasonable shaving edge with a Coti or BB either you're doing something wrong or that dog won't hunt.

Most likely this is due to you not having honed wedges before. There is a lot more 'meat' to a wedge, and more material that needs to be removed. Especially if you have restored it and the area around the edge will be rounded.

Here is a imple test: hold the blade towards a light source so that the light reflects to your eyes via the blade face. The edge should point towards the light, and run from left to right. Now slowly turn the bladewith the blade face towards your body. Kind like the spoiler on a Porche. Continue the movement until the edge is point at you instead of the light source. Keep a close eye on the very edge itself. If at one point in your movement, you see sparkling light along the edge, then that means the bevels are nottouching at the edge.

If this is the case, then only more honing at 1000 grit will help, until there are no reflections anymore. Before you are at that point, neither a finishing hone nor diamond spray will make any difference.

well guys, I figured it out (finally!)

This is what was needed:

more laps on the 4000 grit norton. Since it is slightly warped, I had to section the blade off according to how it laid flat, and do like 50 circles each side for each section. Example: 50 each side for the first half inch of the heel, 50 for the first quarter in front of the heel, 50 in the ball of the foot area behind the toe, and finally 50 at the toe, followed by 50 rolling x-strokes each side, then 50 each side on the finisher, and 5 laps on the diamond grit strop. Never shaved with a wedge before. It's sooooo different feeling, just the weight, and the smiling edge helps get under my jawline and neck SO much easier than a flat blade, especially ones with a point. I love it! Definitely a learning curve, though!

Glad you were able to tackle your wedge. It's a learning process for sure. Have fun with it!

Great job, and perseverence man!! What a job, eh?

Very happy for you bloke!!! Outstanding job if seeing a job through to it's end,

Have many a great shave with your Wedge and a BBS to boot!!

me.

Great job hanging there and getting it done. My next project is a first time for me Tally Ho near wedge with a big smile. This info will no doubt help save me some frustration. Thanks all.

Thanks for this thread! I've been struggling to get my new-to-me Wade & Butcher sharp, and would never have thought that a synthetic stone could have anything to do with it (I'm using a Norton combo). I'll also take my time with bevel setting, but I'm a bit nervous about removing too much steel, especially from the spine, where it's already a bit uneven.

I'm also thinking that a stiffer strop or paddle strop might be better suited for this beast. Last time I stropped it, the edge was worse than off the 8k, so this time, I honed as lightly as I could and then shaved directly. It was ok once, but then not ideal the second day (on tough 1-day stubble). Had to clean up with a backup razor... that's a neat experience in itself, switching from a heavy blade to one with different steel, lighter grind, etc.

Anyway, this forum rocks.

Cheers.